Sociological Theories

• Marxism

  The CCCS found that different subcultures are formed as a resistance to the ruling class. Gramsci looked into hegemony, and found that economic situation is an explanation for youth subcultures.
• Marxism Evaluation

  Neo Marxists are criticised for interpreting meanings that didn't exist, they interpreted subcultures relating to class failing to recognise the youths may have dressed a certain way to impress peers or for fun. Feminists state the CCCS ignore female subcultures. CCCS also ignored middle-class subcultures such as hippies. They also only focused on spectacular subcultures, and ignored the majority of youths not in subcultures
• Functionalism

  Individuals need to feel integrated in their communities to share a value consensus, if they aren't they will feel socially isolated. Functionalists don't believe in subcultures as they see youth as a transitional phase.
• Functionalism Evaluation

  Generalise youth culture as a whole and don't explain subcultural differences, they fail to talk about distinction between subculture which are split by race, gender, ethnicity and class.
• Feminism

  Argue that the roles of girls in subcultures has been ignored by other theories. McRobbie and Garber argue that girls were absent from most research, when they did appear it was reinforced stereotypical views. McRobbie and Garber argued girls are simply more difficult to study, since they have their own spaces
• Feminism Evaluation

  Postmodernists would state that gender is less significant in modern society, subcultures font have clear gender distinctions.
• Postmodernism

  Youth culture is more fragmented and diverse, styles are more fluid and changeable since they are a mix of things.
• Thornton


  Club cultures have no defining characteristics, they have a subcultural capital (knowing what's in trend and what isn't), this capital gains them status and members become 'authentic'.
• Redhead


  The media is an essential part in forming a subculture without it cultures wouldn't be sustained, as can be seen in 'club culture', being popular in modern society
• Maffesoli


  'Neo-Tribes', groups are much more loosely organised with no fixed commitments. Argued that groups and identities are no longer formed onto traditional social structures. A young person can be part of more than one at the same time. 'Club cultures' are an example of this
• Bennett


  Neo-tribes base themselves on fashion and music but have no shared values. Individuals mixed their own influences and didn't define themselves in any particular group.
• Polhemus


  Supermarket of style: describes how youths can change their identities by picking and choosing things from various cultures. E.g., modern primitives
• Postmodern Evaluation

  There are still modern subcultures with clear and distinct styles e.g., goths, emo's meaning not everyone mixes their styles. Young people aren't a part of Neo-tribes and simply enjoy spending time with friends. Neo-tribes and club cultures can be argued to not be media driven. Neo-tribes show everyone is equal but there are still young people who divide themselves based on gender and ethnicity. Holland and Chatterton argue youth activity is categorised as risk seeking behaviour, drinking culture and chart music rather than pix and mixing and Neo-tribes.